WHEN work starts on Cwmaman's long-awaited "superschool" on Monday, 120 years of local history will draw to a close.

WHEN work starts on Cwmaman's long-awaited "superschool" on Monday, 120 years of local history will draw to a close.

The as-yet unnamed community school will replace three village primaries which have taught six generations in Garnant, Glanaman and Twyn.

But a bright new era is promised for 400 local children in an eco-school built on firm community foundations.

Education and design have been melded to create a three-armed structure radiating from a central hub, catering for infants, juniors and also the villages at large.

Dubbed a superschool because it has been created from scratch with full community and educational consultation, Cwmaman could provide a nationwide blueprint if successful.

Architect Meirion Jones said the "dream site" offered landscape elements that will open up the children's school experience.

Woodland, meadow and a river with otters and herons are all enclosed in the school grounds. Inside the building, space, ventilation and daylight are also paramount.

"Light is important because there is a direct correlation between daylight and learning."

The new headmistress Donna Williams said, "Planning this has been unique because normally you are just given a building and told to get on with it."

The plans include community spaces and tailored sports facilities cater for a lifelong learning ethos that looks towards both the immediate future (the school opens in 2005) and the education of the cwm for perhaps the next 100 years.

Despite some sense of loss in the tight-knit West Wales villages, county councillors and teachers involved in the project said the community had been confident in supporting the #5m venture.

"For decades now maintaining our schools has been like plugging leaks in a dam," said councillor Kevin Madge.

Shadow chairman of governors Colin Evans added, "We did not impose this plan but involved the community from the beginning, which was vital.

"Many objectors were grandparents who had been to the local primaries themselves - but they did not have to worry about installing computer suites in their day."

Mrs Williams said, "The staff agree the old schools are definitely past their sell-by-date.

"But the important aspect is making the move easier for the children. We are planning trips, combined sporting events and last week we had a joint service in Garnant church."

Although the three primaries were built just a mile or so apart, they have kept distinct identities.

"I think that was the first time a joint service has been held between the schools in their entire history," said Coun Evans.

A sense of history hangs over Cwmaman right now, said Mr Evans. "There have been a lot of meetings but this is of course the biggest project I will ever do in my lifetime. With modern materials and technology we fully hope it to last another 120 years."

Mr Madge said, "Our duty is to do as our forefathers did - to provide the best they could at the time and give our children the best possible start in the world."